Seesaw



April 1, 1924. 1,488,808

'8 B. A. DOVE SEESAW Filed Jan. 22, 1923 llatented Apr. l, 1%24.

untrue stares PATENT @FFZQK BASCOLVE A. DOVE, DALLAS, TEXAS, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALF TO WALTER C. ESRY,

OF DALLAS, TEXAS. I

SEESAW.

Application filed January 22, 1923.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Bnscoiu A. Dovn, citizen of the United States of America, rcsiding at Dallas, in the county of Dallas and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Seesaws. of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in see-saws.

The object of the invention is to provide an amusement device in the form of a seesaw which may be used and operated by a single child or which may be used by two children of different weights.

A further object is to provide a seesaw having resilient counter-acting or counterbalancing means of a particular type connccted with the board on one side of its pivot to offset the weight of a child riding on the opposite end of the board, whereby the board is oscillated when the resilient means is placed under tension by the manipulations of the child riding thereon.

A still further object is to provide a seesaw of the character described, whereby a child playing by itself may enjoy all the pleasures and thrills of a seesaw, the same as if another child was seated on the opposite end of the seesaw board.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described to gether with other features of the invention.

T he invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which an example of the invention is shown and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a seesaw constructed in accordance with my invention. various oscillatory positions of the seesaw board. being indicated in dotted lines,

Fig. 2 is an end. elevation of the same.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail of fulcrum mounting of the board, and

Fig. 4: is an enlarged. detail of the spring loop or keeper.

In the drawings the numeral design nates an elongated base plate from the oppm site sides of the central portion of which, uprights or standards 11 extend upwardly. The lower ends of the standards are preferably let into the side edges of the base plate and diagonal braces 12 also let into the edges of the plate have their upper ends fastened on each side of each standard,

Serial No. 614,148.

whereby the standards are held against longitudinal displacement. The parts 10, 11, and 12 constitute an upright support and the 1nvention is not to be limited to the base plate as any means for preventing tilting of the standards may be employed. 7

A suitable seesawboard 13 is fulcrumed between the standards at a point offset from its center, whereby the board is over-balanced and has a long portion and a short portion on opposite sides of its fulcrum. A transverse bolt 14 is passed thru apertures at the upper ends of the standards and is fastened with a nut 15. The board has a transverse fulcrum strip 16 grooved in its underside to receive the bolt which is confined therein by a pair of U-bolts 17 provided with nuts 18 countersunk in the board. If it is desired to lower the board extra apertures 19 are provided in the standard for the bolt 14. While the means illustrated is satisfactory for mounting and fulcruming the board, any suitable means may be employed.

At the end of the short portion of the board I mount a loop or keeper 20 which may be suitably fastened to the underside of the board as by bolts 21 and nuts 22. Coiled springs 23 or their equivalent have their upper ends fastened on the keeper and their lower ends suitably fastened to eye bolts 24 in the base plate, said bolts being spaced apart longitudinally of the plate. Any suitable manner of fastening and attaching the spring may be used.

The springs normally hold the board 13 at an inclination as is shown in full lines in Fig. 1. The child sits upon the end of the long portion of the board, which is on the opposite side of the fulcrum bolt 14 from the springs. The weight of the child countor-balances the tension of the springs so that the long portion of the board is depressed and the short end elevated as is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, whereby the springs are stretched and placed under tension. When the upward swing of the board is started the innermost spring isfirst tensioned and as the swing proceeds the second spring is tensioned also, thus a greater rebound is obtained. VVhen the springs are tensioned they take the place of another child on the short end of the board, so that the child on the long portion may shift its position and give the springs the advantage with the result that the board is oscillated similar to a seesaw occupied by two children. The trussed arrangement of the springs is important and a child may operate the seesaw merely by swaying its body. It is possible for two children to use the board, the lighter one sitting on the short portion and having the advantage of the tension of the springs to compensate the difference in Weight.

Various changes in the size and arrangement of the parts as well as modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a seesaw, an upright support, a seesaw board fulcrumed on the support, and a pair of coiled springs disposed in the arc of the swing of the board, said springs having their upper ends converging and connected to one end of the board, the lower ends of the springs being rigidly held in position.

2. In a seesaw, an upright support, a seesaw board fulcrumed on the support, a base on which the support is mounted, and a pair of coiled springs disposed in the are of the swing of the board and attached to the base on one side of the support, said springs having their upper ends converging and attached to the same end of the board.

3. In a seesaw, an elongated base, standards mounted on each side of the base, a seesaw board fulcrumed between the upper ends or" the standards, and a pair of coiled springs disposed longitudinally or" the board and in the arc of the swing of the board, said springs-having their lower ends spread apart and converging upwardly with their upper ends attached to the same end of the board in iuXta-position.

4. In a seesaw, an elongated base, stand ards mounted on each side of the base, a seesaw board fulcrumed between the upper ends 01' the standards, a pair of coiled springs disposed longitudinally of the board and in the arc of the swing of the board, said springs having their lower ends spread apart and converging upwardly with their upper ends attached to the same end of the board in junta-position, and a handle mounted on the central portion of the board.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

BASCOM A. DOVE. 

